Health Library

Ritodrine injection

What is ritodrine injection?

RITODRINE (Yutopar®) can help to stop a premature labor that occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. Generic ritodrine injections are available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive ritodrine?

They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:

diabetes

heart disease or an irregular heart beat

high blood pressure

lung disease

over active thyroid

preeclampsia

ruptured membranes (waters have broken)

an unusual or allergic reaction to ritodrine, sulfites, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

How should I use this medicine?

Ritodrine is for injection by slow intravenous infusion. It is given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with ritodrine?

beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems

diazoxide

hormones such as prednisone or cortisone

insulin

magnesium sulfate

medicines for colds and breathing difficulties

meperidine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before starting or stopping any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking ritodrine?

Inform your prescriber or health care professional at once if labor contractions begin again or if the membranes rupture (waters break).

If you are diabetic you may need to adjust your insulin dose while you are taking ritodrine. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if you have unusual blood sugar results.

What side effects may I notice from receiving ritodrine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

changes in blood sugar levels

difficulty breathing, fluid on the lungs, shortness of breath

irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain

yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

headache

nausea, vomiting

nervousness

skin rash, reddened skin

trembling

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from excessive heat. After mixing the infusion solution use within 48 hours. Throw away any unused portion or if the solution is discolored or contains particulate matter.

Ritodrine tablets

What are ritodrine tablets?

RITODRINE (Yutopar®) can help to stop a premature labor that occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. The tablets are usually given after labor has been stopped by an intravenous infusion of ritodrine. Generic ritodrine tablets are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I take ritodrine?

They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:

diabetes

heart disease or an irregular heart beat

high blood pressure

lung disease

over active thyroid

preeclampsia

ruptured membranes (waters have broken)

an unusual or allergic reaction to ritodrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

How should I take this medicine?

Take ritodrine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it if you remember within 1 hour of when you should have taken it. If you do not remember until later, take only the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with ritodrine?

beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems

diazoxide

hormones such as prednisone or cortisone

insulin

magnesium sulfate

medicines for colds and breathing difficulties

meperidine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before starting or stopping any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking ritodrine?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Inform your prescriber or health care professional at once if labor contractions begin again or if the membranes rupture (waters break).

If you are diabetic you may need to adjust your insulin dose while you are receiving ritodrine. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if you have unusual blood sugar results.

What side effects may I notice from taking ritodrine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

changes in blood sugar levels (in diabetic patients)

difficulty breathing, fluid on the lungs, shortness of breath

irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain

yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

headache

nausea, vomiting

nervousness

skin rash

trembling

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.